Give each side the opportunity to attain the level they want to be in.. whether to pirate, protect or defend themselves in a fair equal level field either by working their way to pay the next weapon, armor or or shield. Let the experience and ability of each individual player be the deciding factor whether you live or die.
-Problem solved
In real Life this is how the structure of our society works
-The military: The overwhelming force, no one should be able to take them down. If any other factor could be able to take them down our society would be already living in chaos and anarchy. With very little or no economic flow.
-The Police
-And waaay way down the unlawful
-closely followed by the civilians: miners/transports ect. Still with a possibility to defend themselves from unlawfuls the same way in our society a civilian has the opportunity and right to defend himself from a criminal.
Or follow the example of nature..
A predator can sometimes catch a prey, sometimes not.. but they both will surely fall to the law of the gun.
The problem starts when this reality is twisted to fit the desires of some.